Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Scripture InterpretationWhether the Trinitarian baptismal formula ('in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit') reflects Jesus's original words or a later liturgical development, and how it relates to Acts' 'in the name of Jesus' baptisms.
Key scriptures: Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16
Catholic (5)
Eastern Catholic (Byzantine Rite)
Affirms
Trinitarian baptism is essential and binding on all; apostolic practice
Maronite Catholic
Affirms
Trinitarian invocation required; baptism valid only in Trinity
Old Catholic Church
Affirms
Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian formula affirmed; administered in Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Roman Catholic
Affirms
Trinitarian formula; 'in the name' means invoking Trinity; the normative baptismal formula
Saint Thomas Christians (Syro-Malabar Church)
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula affirmed; reflects conciliar Christology
Orthodox (5)
Assyrian Church of the East
Affirms
Baptism in Trinitarian name; sacrament of regeneration and initiation
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria
Affirms
Baptism of all nations in Trinitarian name; central to Coptic practice
Eastern Orthodox
Affirms
Trinitarian baptism in triple immersion; apostolic and patristic foundation
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Affirms
Trinitarian baptism formula; baptism in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Oriental Orthodox (Miaphysite)
Affirms
Matthew 28:19 Trinitarian formula affirmed; grounds Miaphysite sacramental theology
Mainline Protestant (8)
Anglican / Episcopalian
Affirms
Baptism in Trinitarian name; sacrament of regeneration; infant and adult
Calvinist / Reformed
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; sacrament of God's covenant grace
Congregationalist (UCC)
Affirms
Baptism of all nations in Trinitarian formula affirmed
Lutheran
Affirms
Baptism in trinitarian name affirmed; apostolic practice
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Affirms
Trinitarian formula mandated; constitutes valid baptism
Methodist
Affirms
Matthew 28:19 establishes Trinitarian baptism; Methodists practice infant and believer
Presbyterian
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; Father, Son, Holy Spirit explicitly required
Reformed Church in America
Affirms
Baptism in triune name; Trinitarian formula prescribed
Evangelical (15)
Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention)
Affirms
Believer's baptism; Baptist ordinance; baptism by immersion on confession
Calvary Chapel
Affirms
Great Commission directs baptism of believers in Trinitarian name
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Affirms
Baptism administered in the Trinitarian formula; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Christian Reformed Church in North America
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; believer's baptism into Father, Son, Spirit
Church of the Nazarene
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula central; Triune God professed in believer baptism
Evangelical Covenant Church
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula affirmed; baptism in name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Evangelical Free Church of America
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; baptism in the name of the Trinity is essential
IFCA International (Independent Fundamental Churches of America)
Affirms
Trinitarian formula affirmed; Matthew 28:19 is authoritative Great Commission
National Association of Free Will Baptists
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; baptism in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Non-denominational Evangelical
Affirms
Matthew 28:19 teaches Trinitarian baptism; administered in Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Pentecostal (Assemblies of God)
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula affirmed; 'name' of Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Presbyterian Church in America
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; baptism in the name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Reformed Baptist Churches (1689 London Baptist Confession)
Affirms
Baptism in Trinitarian name; formula central to valid administration
The Wesleyan Church
Affirms
Baptize in the Name; Trinitarian formula affirmed; baptism as means of grace and public commitment
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Affirms
Baptism in name of Trinity commanded by Christ
Charismatic (5)
Charismatic Movement
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; baptism in the Holy Spirit foundational to Charismatic identity
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
Affirms
Believer's baptism; trinitarian invocation; sign of discipleship to Christ
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
Affirms
Baptize in the Trinitarian formula; name of the Trinity invoked in baptism
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula essential; baptism in name of Trinity required
Vineyard Churches
Affirms
Baptize in the Name; Trinitarian formula affirmed; water baptism follows faith in Christ
Anabaptist (5)
Amish (Old Order)
Affirms
Baptism in Trinitarian name; believer's baptism; any mode acceptable
Brethren in Christ Church
Affirms
Baptize in the name (singular) of Father, Son, Spirit; symbol of faith
Church of the Brethren
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula affirmed; Triune God invoked in baptism
Hutterite Brethren
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula affirmed; baptism in name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Mennonite Church
Nuanced
Matthew 28:19 supports believer's baptism in Trinitarian name
Adventist & Restorationist (5)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Affirms
Baptism of believers in Trinitarian formula; central to Disciples practice
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Affirms
Trinitarian formula required; baptism in water by immersion; apostolic practice
Churches of Christ
Affirms
Believer's baptism by immersion; trinitarian formula; essential NT ordinance
International Churches of Christ
Affirms
Matthew 28:19 authorizes baptism; baptism required for salvation
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Affirms
Baptism in Trinitarian name; formula essential to meaning
Other Protestant (8)
Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum)
Affirms
Matthew 28:19 commands Trinitarian baptism; both infants and believers
Plymouth Brethren
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; Father, Son, Holy Spirit explicitly required
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; Father, Son, Holy Spirit explicitly required
Seventh Day Baptist General Conference
Affirms
Baptize in the name of the Trinity; formula emphasizes full divine authority
The Salvation Army
Nuanced
Matthew 28:19 is Scripture but Salvation Army does not practice water baptism
True Jesus Church
Nuanced
Baptism in the name of Jesus (Oneness formula); not Trinitarian formula
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
Affirms
Baptize in the Name; affirmation of Trinitarian formula; standard evangelical practice
Waldensian Church (Chiesa Evangelica Valdese)
Affirms
Baptize in the Name; Trinitarian formula affirmed; baptism as public profession of faith
Non-Trinitarian (6)
Biblical Unitarians
Denies
Matthew 28:19 formula does not necessarily teach Trinitarian theology
Christadelphians
Affirms
Baptism into Trinity affirmed; immersion in water required; apostolic practice foundation
Church of God General Conference (Abrahamic Faith)
Nuanced
Baptism in Christ's name; non-Trinitarian understanding of the formula
Jehovah's Witnesses
Nuanced
Baptism in Jesus' name; Trinitarian formula understood differently
Oneness Pentecostals (UPCI)
Denies
Rejects Trinitarian formula; baptizes in Jesus' name only per Acts 2:38
Unitarian Universalist
Varies
No official interpretation; baptism as welcome/covenant ritual if observed
Latter-day Saint (2)
Unique & Independent (7)
Armstrongism (Sabbatarian splinter groups)
Affirms
Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ; believer's baptism; repentance required
Church of Christ, Scientist
Denies
Water baptism rejected; baptism = inward spiritual cleansing by Truth
General Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian)
Nuanced
Baptism represents initiation into recognition of divine truth and love
Iglesia ni Cristo
Nuanced
Baptism in Jesus' name emphasized; Trinitarian formula reinterpreted
Message Movement (Branhamism)
Nuanced
Baptism in Jesus's name primarily; Trinitarian formula debated among followers
Messianic Judaism
Affirms
Matthew 28:19 commands baptism in Trinitarian name; Yeshua-centered practice
New Apostolic Church
Affirms
Trinitarian baptism formula affirmed; administered by NAC clergy in Trinity
African Independent (4)
Cherubim and Seraphim Church
Affirms
Trinitarian formula for baptism; invocation of Trinity in water baptism
Church of Jesus Christ on Earth through the Prophet Simon Kimbangu (EJCSK)
Affirms
Baptize in name of Trinity; trinitarian formula used
Redeemed Christian Church of God
Affirms
Baptize in Father Son Holy Spirit; Trinitarian formula required
Zion Christian Church
Affirms
Baptize in the Name; Trinitarian baptism affirmed; baptism as entrance into Church community